A well-stocked kitchen is the birthplace of incredible dinner adventures—because when you have key ingredients in bulk, trying a new recipe or experimenting on your own doesn’t seem nearly as risky. The pantries, fridges and freezers of those living (or considering) the vegan lifestyle are no different—well, except for the whole “no animal byproducts” part.

ÁineCarlin, a dedicated vegan, talented blogger and now cookbook author of Keep it Vegan, is set on debunking the myth that living the vegan lifestyle results in a dismal pantry and lackluster meals. In her cookbook, amongst pages of tips and recipes, she offers a handy list for stocking a vegan-centric kitchen. Below, she shares her must-have pantry picks along with three of our favorite recipes from Keep it Vegan. It was hard to select just a trio—her book is bursting with accessible, beautiful recipes suited for all diets.

Áine’s Pantry Staples

Because I tend to do smaller store trips for my perishables, I like to have a pantry stocked full of cans and jars that can turn a simple selection of vegetables into a delicious evening meal in no time. From Dijon mustard to yeast extract, they all play a pivotal role in my cooking and can often transform a dish from fine to fantastic.

The Vegan Cupboard

I tend to avoid things like egg-replacer and arrowroot because I feel if I can get away with using a banana and some baking soda, then I will. Make life simple. That’s my motto. My style is all about stripping things back to the bare minimum without compromising on flavor.

The Vegan Fridge

I have a handful of refrigerated goods that I use fairly infrequently, but it’s good to have a few on rotation for those times when you’re in the mood for cake or wanting to whip up an über-quick dip. However, I by no means recommend relying on them—treat them as a fun “now-and-again” alternative to those foods you might occasionally be missing.

Dairy-free mayo

Hummus

Plant milks (soy, almond, coconut)

Soy cream

Soy yogurt

Tofu (marinated and firm)

Vegan margarine

Vegan wine—not all wines are created equal! Some undergo a fining process that involves the use of animal products. Luckily most major supermarkets make life easy by slapping on a label that says explicitly which wines are vegan and which aren’t.

The Vegan Freezer

My freezer is probably the least stocked of all my food storage areas, but that’s not to say it doesn’t hold some vital components. The frozen veggies are crucial for curries, dips, stews, and more, and while the selection varies from time to time, I always make sure to have peas and fava beans—there is a multitude of dishes that can be saved with some green-pea action. When my bananas fully ripen, I try to keep at least two (peeled and chopped) in the freezer for smoothies and instant soft serve—you’ll not believe how reliant you’ll become on them.

Fava beans

Peas

Sweet corn

Vanilla vegan ice cream

Dried Herbs

Some herbs cannot be substituted so easily for the dried variety, which is why I encourage you to stick to the following lest you end up with some very funky flavors.

Bay leaves

Herbs de Provence

Oregano

Thyme

Spices

Mark Boughton Photography / styling by Teresa Blackburn

Where would we be without a little spice in our lives? I’ve come to fall in love with cumin, have a long-held affection for smoked paprika, and am forever lusting after nutmeg.